Rare first edition, with fine emblematic plates, illustrating the injustice and cruelty of the war waged by Louis XIV of France against the free and independent Dutch Republic. Romeyn de Hooghe (1645-1708) was unquestionably the most gifted and the most prolific Dutch book illustrator of the second half of the 17th century. His work displays the political grandeur and disasters of war in the Dutch Republic, including the disastrous year 1672, depicted dramatically and with great splendour. The large plates are richly designed and full of intricate emblems and allegories, fully explained in the accompanying text; an emblematic poem is added to each plate.
With manuscript annotation in ink on pastedown. Slightly browned throughout with some thumbed margins, edges of frontispiece slightly frayed, otherwise in very good condition. Head of front board restored, binding otherwise good. Hollstein (Dutch & Flemish) IX, p. 120, 103-108 (lacking frontispiece); Landwehr, De Hooghe Book Illustrator 38; STCN 12671679X (3 copies); Verkruijsse, Romeyn de Hooghe 1674.13b; cf. STCN 865237115 (8 copies, different issue, same year).